The h'sun was three levels higher than Ista and Ka'an's shelter, and seven trees to the north – and the walk to where they could begin the climb gave Lyara and her party a much clearer idea of just how a large city could be built in the branches of the great trees. Each tree was skirted by several layers of platforms, and each tree's platforms were linked to the platforms nearest them in the various directions by short lengths of zumi pathways. The higher the platform on the tree, the less far the platform exended out from the tree trunk itself. Thus the connecting paths made for short inclines that had one seeking to cross from one side of the city to another walking literally up and down .

The h'sun itself was nestled in the very top branches of the great tree around which I'ilansru'an had grown, with a view over the top of the green canopy that was the Great Forest that made Lyara and Sharin gasp and Jilan stare in undisguised shock and awe. Warriors armed with blow guns and pouches took over the job of escorting the strangers into the Rotal's large audience room.

Eventually, a woman wearing shi'ili, a necklace of green leaves and a headdress of brilliantly colored feathers walked into the room through a protected entrance at the far end and then made her way at a leisurely pace over to where a zumi vine chair had been woven into the very floor of the hall. She was young to be wielding authority over the entire land – although older than Lyara – with red hair that flowed down her back like a fountain and a face that wore all that responsibility and authority with grace.

The first called before her was Ista, who gave the traditional bow after finding a spot directly in front of the imposing young woman. Ista related the story of her how she came to the trees and later became an accepted member of Vri'ia'ani society, and then she gestured toward the small knot of outlanders standing a ways back – specifically at her father.

"Fa'aranby," the Rotal beckoned with a curious gesture that, nonetheless, was easily understood. "I remember you – you were attached to Sylru'an, were you not?"

"Yes, I was," Farranby nodded as he stepped closer to his daughter. "I remember you too – I think I kept you entertained on many meeting days."

"I would know your companions," the Rotal once more beckoned, and Ka'an nodded and indicated that Lyara, Jilan, Sharin and Yiren should also approach. The young woman in the chair blinked as she noted the Vri'ia'ani in the midst of the group. "Is this the Yiren of Ta'alanru'an that even the wind whispers about these days?" she asked with a frown.

"I am Yiren of Ta'alanru'an, Di'iani Rotal," Yiren crossed her arms over her breast and bowed deeply. "These who come before you perform sha'adrah by having brought me from the land of the chan'vrii and back to the trees – even unto Ta'alanru'an itself. They have good hearts, know right from wrong, honor Truth – in many ways, behave as if their time on the floor of the world had not touched their vri'i at all."

"Word had spread of your friends and the sha'adrah they perform, Ta'alan Yiren," the Rotal said in very formal tones and then addressed herself to the rest. "State your names and be recognized."

Jilan and Sharin pushed Lyara to introduce herself first. "Lyara of the Kauwlut," Lyara stated briefly and gave a slightly less graceful but no less sincere traditional bow. "This is Jilan of Tandri, my i'ilim. This is Sharin, i'ilim to Farranby."

The Rotal half-turned in her chair, and another warrior approached bearing a woven box, which he opened and then extended. "It is tradition that we honor those who, while not of us, perform sha'adrah, as you do. To have the daughter of Ta'alan speak on your behalf, and defend you as those whose vri'i survive on the floor of the world, is not an event to go unrecognized either. To that end, there is no higher honor that we can bestow than to give such strong and resilient vri'i such as yours shelters in which to reside properly from now on."

She reached out to the woven box and pulled three small wooden cylinders on thin woven cords from its depths and then rose. "Lya'ara of the Kauwlut," she intoned, handing her one of the wooden cylinders. "Sha'arin," she intoned again, handing the younger woman the second cylinder. "And Jila'an of Tandri," she intoned, handing the third cylinder to the tall, yellow-haired man. "Your names have been spoken, and all who honor the vri'i will know you to be of the chosen – the Vri'ia'ani. You will always have a home in the trees."

Lyara draped the thin cord around her neck and then studied the little piece of wood. A stylized face had been carved into the dark grain, as if giving the spirit that they believed resided within a face and a way to communicate with the world. She saw Jilan and Sharin each examine their amulets too.

"Thank you," she bowed to the Rotal again, and her friends each followed suit. "You do us a great honor."

"You would do all of us a greater honor if you would tell of your travels," the Rotal replied, removing the feathered headdress and handing it back to the warrior bearing the woven box. "But you should be in more comfort when you do – as should we all. Follow me."

The tall woman led the way back through the protected door she'd come through originally and down a narrow walkway to a shelter platform one tree away. There she gestured for the group to have a seat on the fine, woven grass flooring while she brought out a wooden container of sweet water and smaller wooden bowls.

Yiren held the individual bowls while the Rotal poured out servings of the water, and then she handed them to the others. Finally the two Vri'ia'ani women sat down into the small circle. "So?" the Rotal smiled at them. "Do you only travel to Ta'lanru'an?"

Lyara shook her head. "There is a place beyond that the Oracle has said that we must go…"

"You speak of Nilyaron – Oracle of all the lands?" the Rotal asked with a curious tip of the head. When Lyara nodded silently, she added, "Word had come to our trees that the Oracle is no more."

"That is true, Mistress," Jilan answered. "Nilyaron died almost an entire turn of the seasons ago."

"And yet, he still guides the destinies of others," the Rotal commented thoughtfully, sipping at her water. "His words, read at the Si'nat, were the reason I was chosen for this position – and not my brother. Some of the troubles that we deal with now are because there are those who resent the words of a chan'vrii having so much power within the Great Forest."

"What troubles, Di'iani Rotal?" Yiren asked in concern.

The Rotal sighed and put her cup of water on the woven grass in front of her "Some of the Ru'an, as I said, resented the power of the words of a chan'vrii. They did not realize the relationship the Oracle has always had with the one who sits upon the Chair of Authority here in I'ilansru'an. Anyway, they have foresworn their adherence to the word of the Si'nat and hold their trees as if separate from the Great Forest." She turned a sympathetic eye to Yiren. "Ta'alanru'an is one of the Ru'an who did this thing."

Yiren's hand flew to her mouth in horror. Lyara frowned. "Does this mean that we will not be able to escort Yiren to her home?"

"It means," the Rotal said in a dark tone, "that not all your journey will be marked with welcomes in the h'suni'il you find. That your companions are not part of us by birth is obvious – and you may find yourself without shelter or even attacked because of this."

Lyara traded a concerned look with Jilan. "We have no quarrel with any Vri'ia'ani – we have no wish to fight."

The Rotal merely shook her head sadly. "I would that the vri'ih'sun you were given this day would be all the surety you'd need – but I cannot guarantee this."

"But," Farranby spoke up finally, after having listened carefully, by tradition, you are allowed to defend yourself. No matter the way in which you are greeted, do NOT assume a defensive posture or throw the first punch." His eyes caught those of the Rotal. "I know that this was one way in which my training with Sylru'an was tested many times. Those who would do you ill are counting on your not being aware of tradition."

"To not behave defensively…" Lyara started with a shake of the head.

"Does not mean you cannot THINK defensively," Farranby finished for her. "I've seen both you and Jilan – you can move to a defensive stance very quickly."

"But how can we defend Yiren that way?" Jilan frowned, and Lyara again had to swallow hard against her jealousy and the chime of disquiet in her mind from Topiara.

"It will be a little more dangerous, granted," the Rotal stated quietly, "but I believe your adhering strictly to tradition will give you a shield of a new sort – one that will perhaps bring light to the eyes of those who live distant from the edge of the Forest." She picked up her cup again. "But now, I would speak of more pleasant topics. Tell me of your travels."

Jilan and Farranby immediately looked to Lyara. "Your turn to begin the Telling," Farranby grinned at his friend.

Lyara groaned inwardly, but outwardly showed no sign of being tired of telling the same tale over and over again. "I come from the lands far to the north…"

Farranby's brows worked as he looked at Lyara and Jilan. "I know that you'll only be gone for a short time," he said gently, "but it almost feels like I'm losing a part of my family."

Sharin stepped forward and gave Lyara a tight hug. "May whatever Gods you worship see you through your journey," she whispered into her friend's ear. "I'm going to miss you."

"Be well," Jilan extended his hand to Farranby and clasped the older man's hand tightly. "And enjoy this time with your daughter."

Farranby shook his head. "I still can't believe it." He put his other hand on Jilan's shoulder. "Take good care of Lyara, Jilan," he said seriously. "Be good to each other."

"I will," Jilan promised with a glance at his mate. "You and Sharin be good to each other too."

Lyara found herself staring at her old friend. "I am going to miss you," she said softly.

"Be safe, my little Kauwlut Guide," Farranby said, pulling Lyara close to him for a very quick and tight embrace. "And be patient with Jilan. He loves you very much."

"I will," she promised him, returning the hug with equal vehemence. "We'll be back as soon as we finish everything we came down here to do."

Yiren stepped forward as her escorts stepped reluctantly back from their friends. She crossed her arms and bowed deeply. "May the wind be gentle at your back, may the branches steady under your feet, and may your vri'i remain far above the floor of the world," she recited the very old and traditional farewell.

Farranby and then belatedly Sharin returned the gesture. "May you find welcome and fellowship in the arms of your Mother tree, and may your days be long and happy," he finished the farewell for her.

"Goodbye, Yiren," Sharin said softly. "Good luck."

Yiren bowed again and then moved to where she was leading the little party. Lyara looked back over her shoulder and raised her hand one more time to her old friend, his new mate – and to the Vri'ia'ani family behind them at the base of the ladder. Topiara whispered softly in the back of her mind and showed her a quick image of Farranby growing closer to his daughter and grandson.

Lyara was grateful for that, because it helped balance the now unrelenting disquiet that her power stone was pouring into her mind. Defensive thought, she reminded herself of the phrase Farranby had used – was to be constantly on alert to all dangers that might be in the vicinity. It was an exhausting way to travel in the long term, but something told her that she would be grateful for the warning long before she had to drop the practice.

Jilan saw the quick frown cross his i'ilim's brow before she turned back to following Yiren – and Rodayn was quick to supply the same comforting image of Farranby. Still, the young man knew that things were not right – and that he'd have to be equally cautious. Lyara's sense of security in their relationship was extremely fragile, to the point that even a glance could be construed incorrectly.

He'd have to do his part to protect her by making sure she had no reason to doubt him or his devotion to her. Now that it was just the three of them, that might mean being less open and friendly to Yiren – much as he didn't like the idea. He would have to talk to the Vri'ia'ani girl and explain – hopefully that would disarm any misunderstanding on HER part.

"Women!" he grunted to himself in frustration and then hurried to find his place at Lyara's heels. This was going to be a long trek.